2008 January

Steal A Unit At Minot Hall In The South End

By Anthony Longo 30 01 2008

Price: $519,900

1723 Washington Street
Unit # 501
Boston, MA 02118

MLS # 70672565

Type: Condominium
Beds: 2 Bedroom
Bath: 2 (Baths)

Sq/Ft: 906
Price per Sq/Ft: $573.84
Condo Fee: $300 (monthly)
Taxes: $4,990 (annual)

A 2 bed, 2 bath condominium is now listed at Minot Hall for $519,900 offering a great value. This well laid out 906 sf home has hardwood floors throughout, 2 marble baths including one on suite for the master bedroom, stainless appliances & granite counters with maple cabinets in the kitchen, in unit washer dryer, a fireplace and a Juliet balcony with panoramic city skyline views. See The Listing.

Developed in 2004, Minot Hall combined the original historic antique center structure with new construction resulting in 45 condominium homes with 1st floor retail dining including The Equator as well as a sushi and wine bar.

In case you missed it, today’s Boston Globe announced that the Church of Scientology of Boston, Inc., has bought the historic Alexandra Hotel building at Washington and Mass Avenue in the South end and plans to relocate its local headquarters from the Back Bay, following extensive renovations. The significant dollars the church will spend on the restoration of this landmark building will only improve and should provide an anchor to the South End for what has been extensive development up and down Washington Street in the South End following the addition of the new MBTA Silver Line. These developments along the upper part of Washington Street have also included new dining hotspot Toro, Ken Oringer’s, of Clio fame, chic little tapas spot as well as The Residences at Minot Hall.

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Categories : Boston Condos, Boston Lofts, Boston Real Estate, Featured Listings, South End

The Clarendon Back Bay Launches Website Today

By Anthony Longo 30 01 2008

The Clarendon launched its long awaited website today…and now are just one step further from rolling out the red carpet and opening sales to the public. The long awaited ultra luxury Related/Beal project sitting in what is thought as the Best Location to live in Boston, The Clarendon prep’s to open sales shortly. We recently got a private tour with Sale Director Cathy Angelini and have a handful of clients who are going to get their first pick of the units at The Clarendon. Visit the development website or The Clarendon on our website for more information.

If you are a serious buyer and looking to purchase at The Clarendon and wish to get in early, please contact us ASAP, and we will get you on our VIP list.

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Categories : Back Bay, Boston Condos, Boston Real Estate, Featured Listings, New Developments, South End, Super Luxury

The Bryant on Columbus Construction Update

By Anthony Longo 30 01 2008

The Bryant, an ultra high-end and super luxury condominium development on Columbus Avenue in Boston’s South End is alive. The 9 floor, 50 unit condo development is being developed by Wasserman Real Estate out of Providence, RI. The group is known for delivering an extraordinary product, and The Bryant on Columbus should be nothing short of that. Pricing for The Bryant will range from $1.5M to more than $3M.

5 units currently listed in MLS:

$2,950,000, 3 Bd, 2 Ba, 2011
$2,490,000, 3 Bd, 3 Ba, 2030
$2,250,000, 3 Bd, 3 Ba, 1951
$1,850,000, 3 Bd, 3 Ba, 2250
$1,550,000, 3 Bd, 3 Ba, 2054

Per the developments website - “The Bryant is more than quality; it’s distinction.”

Yesterday we were over at 285 Columbus Lofts (which is about 50 yard (1 building) away). Both The Bryant and 285 Columbus Lofts will jump start what is soon to become the best neighborhood in Boston! All within a 5 block radius, we will have The Bryant, 285 Columbus, Columbus Center, The Clarendon and already established hip luxury condo building Albert A. Pope Building.

Back to the Bryant. Being members at the abutting Equinox Health Club, we have got to watch the Bryant dig & build, from its 3 story underground parking garage to what today is about 3 stories out of the ground. It looks like they are going at about a floor per week now…so we should see them top off at 9 floors by the end of March. Below are some construction photos of The Bryant taken from our trusty iPhone.

Updated: Boston Condo Guy Post Video on The Bryan Construction - view it here.

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Categories : Back Bay, Boston Condos, Boston Lofts, Boston Real Estate, Featured Listings, New Developments, South End, Super Luxury

285 Columbus Lofts

By Anthony Longo 29 01 2008

285 Columbus Lofts are off and flying. With the model unit (# 209) finally completed and the sales center now open, 285 Columbus is in business. The 8 floor, 65 unit ultra lux loft sitting right on the corner of Columbus Avenue and Clarendon street, 285 Columbus should be the first luxury building to be completed in this new luxury Back Bay / South End corridor. Starting at $650,000, these Boston Lofts will top out around $1.5M Below are pictures taken with our trusty iPhone from today’s tour of the new model unit. Coming soon - 285 Columbus Lofts The Movie (in production right now!)

Currently they are listing a sample of 4 units for sale in the MLS:

Interested in visiting 285 Columbus Lofts Let us know and we will be more than happy to tour you through this great new loft condominium building!

Model Unit Pics Below | Download Floor Plan Here

(Click Thumbnails Below To Enlarge)

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Categories : Back Bay, Boston Condos, Boston Lofts, Boston Real Estate, Featured Listings, New Developments, South End

I Need A Boston Loft

By Anthony Longo 29 01 2008

Ok, I have been passionately searching the market for one of my clients for the ultimate Boston Loft. We are pretty open to location and parking situation (as long as it is somewhat convenient), however I do need the following.

- Volume and lots of it.
- Bright light and open space
- True loft feel, brick and beam, high ceiling height, etc
- Private outdoor space (roof deck, etc) and lots of it

Ideally, we are looking for approximately 2,000 sq/ft and up. It could be a completely built out 2+ bedroom or a raw space in which we can convert into the ultimate New York style loft condominium. We know the product exists here in Boston, but is very rare to find.

Our price point for this gorgeous Boston Loft would ideally be at or below $1M but would love to hear and see any Boston Loft property that would fit this description.

Whether your Boston Loft is on the market or not or you are a Boston Real Estate listing agent and you know of such a Boston Loft, please contact me direct.

Thank you,

Tony Longo
Anthony @ condoDomain.com / 617-314-7704

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Categories : Arts District, Boston Condos, Boston Lifestyle, Boston Lofts, Boston Real Estate, Chinatown, Featured Listings, Leather District, Midtown, North End, Seaport, South Boston, South End, Waterfront

Flat Fee Real Estate Brokerage The Fair Way to Do Real Estate

By Anthony Longo 28 01 2008

In a typical real estate transaction, the seller pays the agent 5-6% of the total sale. The selling agent then splits this commission with the buyers agent, who keeps his 3% not so with a flat fee real estate brokerage firm. Why does the real estate agent make more money because a property is more expensive It just does not seem fair. This is why flat fee real estate brokerage firms like CondoDomain.com are dramatically changing the way traditional real estate is handled.

As a flat fee real estate brokerage, CondoDomain collects their 2 - 3% commission from the seller’s broker, subtracts their flat fee of $5,000 as a flat fee real estate brokerage firm, and then cuts a check to their client the buyer for the remainder of the commission. Nationally, the average $500,000 sale pays a 3% co-brokerage commission of $15,000. In this example, the flat fee real estate brokerage CondoDomain would collect the $15,000 at the closing, subtract a $5,000 flat fee, and refund the $10,000 remainder after the closing. Since they offer the same full-service that a traditional firm offers, there is really no reason to go with a non-flat fee real estate brokerage.

Because the seller is responsible for the agents commissions, most people think of commission coming out of the seller’s pocket. On the contrary, it is almost always hidden in the selling price, so the buyer is actually paying the agents commission. This is why CondoDomain feels that it is only fair for the buyer to see a return of a portion of that money thus their reason for becoming a flat fee real estate brokerage firm.

However, CondoDomain.com’s focus is not on the refund or the fact that they are a flat fee real estate brokerage firm. They think of flat fee real estate brokerage as a very fair way of conducting real estate transactions. In fact, whether CondoDomain operated as a flat fee real estate brokerage or not, they are an excellent choice for buyers interested in downtown Boston condos and real estate because they are specialists in this niche and because they cater exclusively to buyers. Check out all the listings at www.Boston.CondoDomain.com.

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Categories : Boston Condos, Commissions, RE.TECH

South End Brownstone Conversion

By Anthony Longo 25 01 2008

676 Tremont Street is a brand new South End brownstone apartment to condominium conversion. One of our all time favorite listing brokers, Amy Jacobs of Otis & Ahearn is marketing the new 5 unit development. 676 Tremont is a high end, luxury and very well designed and appointed gut rehab of an 1889 brownstone.

Unit #4 and #5 where were on for $639k & 659k are Under Agreement leaving just 3 units left for sale.

Units For Sale:

$989k - 2 Bed / 2 Bath - 1607 sq/ft

$650k - 2 Bed / 1 Bath - 780 sq/ft

$629k - 2 Bed / 1 Bath - 758 sq/ft

Units feature very high-end finishes, with Brazilian cherry hardwood floors, Viking and Bosch kitchens, energy efficient windows, central AC, and gioa marble bathrooms. The duplex comes with one deeded parking space, and the remainder of parking is available for purchase on a first come first served basis for $50,000 per spot.

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Categories : Boston Condos, Boston Real Estate, Featured Listings, New Developments, South End

The Mandarin Oriental Boston Gets Unveiled

By Anthony Longo 24 01 2008

Thanks to Steve Jobs wonderful iPhone we snapped off some pic’s today of the all new Mandarin Oriental Hotel and Residences located at 776 Boylston Street in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood. For more information visit The Residences at the Mandarin Oriental on our website.

Currently the sold out Mandarin Oriental has 3 re-sale units for sale:

2 Units have hit MLS: here & here (Buy with us and get $102,375 or $133,000 cash back from CondoDomain)

1 is in hiding, but we know where it is…

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Categories : Back Bay, Boston Condos, Boston Real Estate, Commissions, Featured Listings, New Developments, Super Luxury

Exclusive Buyers’ Brokerage in Boston Shakes Up the Traditional Role of Real Estate Brokerage Firms

By Anthony Longo 23 01 2008

When you are looking to purchase real estate in Boston, one of the first decisions you must make is which real estate firm to work with. Your choices include a plethora of generalist real estate firms, but you might instead consider working with an exclusive buyers brokerage in the Boston marketplace.

There are several advantages to working with an exclusive buyers brokerage. Because they do not carry their own sales listings, exclusive buyers brokerage firms are unbiased when it comes to matching your needs to listed properties. If a generalist agent has both buyer clients and seller clients, it is in their best interest to sell one of their clients properties to their own buyers because they can then earn the entire commission typically 5-6% rather than split it with the buyers broker. This is not the case with an exclusive buyers brokerage firm. By working with an exclusive buyers brokerage in Boston, rather than a generalist agent, there is no risk of having certain properties pushed harder during the selection process. In addition, exclusive buyers brokerage negotiators have honed their ability to negotiate the best deals because they always work on the same side the buyer’s side.

One exclusive buyers brokerage in Boston to consider is the brokerage behind CondoDomain.com. In addition to their dedication to offering quality exclusive buyers brokerage in Boston, they are also niche-experts in the condo market and work for a flat fee. As a flat fee exclusive buyers brokerage in Boston, they take their 3% commission from the seller’s agent at the closing, subtract a flat fee of $5,000 from their commission, and then refund the remainder to their clients the buyer, making them a very unique exclusive buyers brokerage in the Boston area. Learn more about working with this company and view their comprehensive set of online listings at www.CondoDomain.com.

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Categories : Boston Condos, Boston Real Estate, Commissions, Featured Listings, RE.TECH

The 1850 : Tour of the Newest Boston Loft Development

By Anthony Longo 22 01 2008

The 1850 (formerly SoHa Lofts) has been re-branded and is just about to hit the market. The 1850, which was once an old Piano Factory (you will see this character in the hallways when you visit) is now going to be home to 60 ultra hip and very affordable lofts in Boston’s South End. We got a tour of the The 1850 last week and an inside view on what these brick and beam lofts are going to look like. Below we posted a dozen or so photos of The 1850.

The Basics:
Units: 60 (53 market, 7 affordable)
Stories: 5 (first floor retail, 2-5 residential condos)

Unit Makeup: 80 90% of units are under 900 sq/ft, with the majority between 700 sq/ft & 800 sq/ft. The smallest unit is 681 sq/ft and the largest unit is 1564 sq/ft.
Bonus: There is plenty of parking if you want a spot. No one has ever said this in the South End before! ($38k per spot approx.)
Price Points:
$326k will get you a 720 sq/ft, 2nd Floor looking towards South Boston
$340k will get you to the 3rd floor with similar views
$350k will get you a similar unit with city views looking back to the Back Bay and the South End.

Appliance packages are decent. Pretty much Frigidaire all the way around and a Fisher Paykel refrigerator. Bathrooms include Grohe faucets, Duravit sink and tile walls & floors.

Other Features: Exposed beams, high ceilings, wired for technology, central air, washer dryer hookups, etc. … and low condo fee’s also a plus for The 1850.

The entire building is a true loft brick and beam raw space allowing every unit owner to be as creative as they want with their space. The 2nd floor is an exception however, they have dry walled many of the spaces here creating a little bit different feel and a more condo/loft feel than a true raw loft space like the rest of the building.

All units at The 1850 are being delivered as wide open spaces. So many of the units could be large one bedrooms or we can envision some of the larger spaces being great 2 bedroom loft spaces.

Our unit favorite: #309, 681 sq/ft and priced at $369k (Condo Fee $292/month). this unit has structural brick walls which really separates the loft space into a true one bedroom very cool awesome ceiling height.

Well, if The 1850 looks like something you may be interested in let us know right away as we expect the primo units to go quickly.

Visit The 1850